Battery terminal clamp



g- 1933- G. F. BERKSHIER ET AL BATTERY TERMINAL CLAMP Filed Aug. 23, 1930 wow Patented Aug. 29, 1933 1,924,482 t v BATTERYIIERMINAL CLAMP? 7 George F. Berkshier and Ca'rlH. Schmidgall, I

Peoria, Ill. j Application August 23,1930. Serial No. 477, 36 0 GCIaim sJ- (01.

invention pertains to battery terminal-.

post clamps, being of a type applicable to the terminal posts of storage batteries.

The object of the invention is to provide a clamp of a form having a jaw orjaws adapted to and,

made to bite into the lead terminal post to secure a perfect electricalconnectio'nand a permanent rigid securing meansfor such clamp.

In additionto the object named the inventionlies in providing a clamp of a novel form that is simple, that will not get out of order, or become loosened, and that will furnish a very positive and stable connection. v 5

The appendeddrawing forming part hereof i1- i'lustrates the invention which, however, is subject to slight changes as may be considered as lying within the scope of the appended claims.

Figure l is an elevation of a part of a battery of the secondary or storage type, for example, together with a terminal post, showing the clamp of our invention in connection with the latter.

Figure 2 is a plan of the clamp and the terminal post of a battery showing a lever of the clamp in open position.

Figure 31s a vertical section of part of the body of the clamp and a part of a jaw in section.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of a jaw, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged section of the clamp in elevation shown mounted on a terminal post. I

As is well known, it is difficult to maintain the terminalposts of a storage battery, andespecially the positive post thereof, free from corrosion. The corrosive action coupled with a clamp of faulty construction and faulty attaching parts has occasioned such a device as scribed. r

In the figures of is now to be dethe 'drawing the numeral 1 designates part of a secondary or storage battery,

and 2 the terminal post thereof.

The clamp of our invention includes a ring 3 which may have any usual tubular part3 to receive a conductor 3 for example. It also has an opening 4 through its wall at diametrically opposite positions, said ring having a bore larger than the diameter of the post 2 measured at any stantially at the'middle thereof, and said lugs at their free ends lie outside the ring 3 and each receives a cotter 6, for example, by which the jaws are maintained in connected relation with said make for difficulties extremely numerous which,

may, however, be provided for the purpose; if dering. Saidlugs are somewhat less in diameter 1 than the openings 4 so thatfree lateral ortipping movement of the jaws is permitted I as willb e understoodpresently. s H

' The concave faces of the jaws are opposed to 5: each other and at the lower edge of each is-a sharp V edge as 7 adapted to bite, into the soft metalof I the terminal post 2, said edge being created in any suitable manner, as to type, the whole object thereof being that a firm and positive bite on the: post may be realized. Extending from one side of each jaw, or-that side that may beconsidered its top, is an arm 8, one of them having pivoted thereto a lever 9', the other arm being longerand having a face thereof lying opposite thefirst arm disposed at an angle, as 10, either as in Figure for 1 as in Figure 5,the leverhaving an opening 11 through which the said arm having said angled face may extend. V In practice the'ring 3 is placed over the post 5* 2 as shown, the jaws 5 meeting the post wherethe diameter of the latter is about equal to the distance between said jaws, the edges '7 being then in position tobe forced into said post. Now, upon-closing down the previously raised lever' 9 so that the arm having the face 10 enters the hole,.l1 of-the former the two arms 8 will be' moved further apart as thelever within the hole 11 thereof moves down the inclined face 10. This 7, action tilts the .jaws within the openings 4-0: 5

the ring and forces theircutting edges 7 into the metal of'the post 2, theremaintaining them and forming a most positive electrical connection as well as resulting in holding the clamp firmly in place. i 1 The lever may be retained in its relation to the arms 8 by providing a holef5 to receive s. cotter 5 for example, Figure 1. Other means.

sired. c While the clamphas been described in detail.

as a preferred form it is to be understood that changes may be made in construction so long as the clamping action is realized with its attendant advantages.

We claim: p 1. In combination with the terminal postof V an electric battery, a clamp including a ring adapted to encircle the post, a jaw at each of 05 two oppositesides of the ringyone of them being pivoted to said ring including an arm, said jaws adapted to engage opposite surfaces of the post, and a member mounted on one of the named ele ments adapted to engage the named arm and 0 as f f therethrough move both jaws toward each other in clamped engagement with the post.

2. In combination with the terminal post of a battery, a clamp including a ring adapted to encircle said post and spaced therefrom, a pair of jaws interposed between the ring and post, one of said jaws being pivoted on said ring and free to rock with respect to it, and means to rockand move the jaws 'into'gripping engagement with the post.

4. In combination with the terminal post of a battery, a" clamp including a ring to encircle th 'p'ost and spaced therefrom, a jaw between the ring and post at one side of the latter, a second jaw betweenthe said ring and said post 'aat'the other side of'the latter, said second jaw being loosely carried'by said ring, means to move the jaws into gripping engagement with the post, and other means for securing the ring and the second named jaw relatively.

5. In combination with the terminal post of a battery, a clamp including a ring adapted to encircle said post in spaced relation thereto, a pair of jaws interposed between the ring and post at opposite sides of the latter and pivotallymounted on said ring, each of the jaws having a portion adapted to bite into the postand' including an arm, the biting portions and the arms of the jaws lying at opposite sides of the pivots,

ingthe arms and closing both jaws to close the jaws upon and'hold them in engagement with said post.

6. A clamp for the purpose named comprising and means pivotally mounted on one of the arms 1 and adapted to engage the other arm for spreada ring, a pair of oppositely disposed jaws within the ring mounted thereon and free to tilt and each having a gripping edge one facing the other,

each jaw including an extension,- one of them having an inclined face, and a member'ad apted to engage the extensions and slide up'on said face adapted to separate saidfextensions' formoving the gripping edges of the jaws towardeachjf other. p

' i V GEORGE BERKSHIER.

CARL L n. scH ID LL; V 

